Visualizing Harbours In The Classical World

In recent years, there has been intense debate about the reality behind the depiction of maritime cityscapes, especially harbours. Visualizing Harbours in the Classical World argues that the available textual and iconographic evidence supports the argument that these representations have a symbolic, rather than literal, meaning and message, and moreover that the traditional view, that all these media represent the reality of the contemporary cityscapes, is often unrealistic. Bridging the gap between archaeological sciences and the humanities, it ably integrates iconographic materials, epigraphic sources, history and archaeology, along with visual culture. Focusing on three main ancient ports – Alexandria, Rome and Leptis Magna – Federico Ugolini considers a range of issues around harbour iconography, from the triumphal imagery of monumental harbours and the symbolism of harbour images, their identification across the Mediterranean, and their symbolic, ideological and propagandistic messages, to the ways in which aspects of Imperial authority and control over the seas were expressed in the iconography of the Julio-Claudian, Trajan and Severii periods, how they reflected the repute, growth and power of the mercantile class during the Imperial era, and how the use of imagery reflected euergetism and paideia, which would inform the Roman audience about who had power over the sea.

Offering a wide and expansive new treatment of the role water played in the lives of people across the Roman world, papers consider ports and their lighthouses; water engineering, whether for canals in the north-west provinces, or for the digging of wells for drinking water; baths for swimming; and spas.

A study of the archaeology and history of ancient harbours, with particular focus on the Greek world during the Archaic and Classical eras. It questions what locations were the most propitious for the installation of harbours; what kinds of harbour-works were built and for what purpose; and what harbour forms were documented.

Thirteen papers which originated in the seminar series The Transpennine Research Seminar, begun in 1996, and reflect a wide range of topics associated with the Mediterranean and Aegean from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. Subjects include: the sea and seafaring in Greek literature and hagiography; Mediterranean trade; the navies of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans; the ancient ship and pirates.

Part of the 'Soldiers' Lives Through History' series, this book examines all aspects of soldiers' lives, including weaponry, clothing, medicine, transport and more. Illustrations, maps, chronologies, and bibliographies provide added resources.